Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-14

thirty or forty patients arc all attended
10 by 8 o'clock.
At this hour applicants whom the
Prince has appointed to come to the
hospital for operation are ranged I'D
the adjacent corridor. The slim, grace
full figure OF the Duchess now APP
proaches with quick, elastic tread
along the passage. She holds little
basket filed with cake and fruit for
some small sufferer. Casting an IN
curing glance at the miscellaneous
waiting group she enters the wards,
and passing nom bed to bed speaks
cheering, appropriate words to each
occupant.
The operations, which, from want OF
space. have unfortunately TO be per-
formed in the male ward, Immediately
begin. The Duchess recognizes each
case, and perceiving at glance what
instruments will be needed holds them
in readiness, and at times her good
nerve and steady hand help in the ope-
ration. Imperial and royal relatives,
ladies' in. waiting, perhaps an eminent
physician on bis travels or some local
surgeon may be present, intently watch
ing this exceptionally-endowed couple,
as with complete scientific knowledge
they adroitly cure or relieve the deli
cate organism under treatment. .
And the patients, what a strange and
oflectir g assembly ! leading trait be-
inc immense power of endurance on
the part of the hardy race of German
Tyroleis, acute sensibility on that OF
the more nervous Italian. Many who
come from solitary homesteads situated
in remote valleys or on lofty mountains.
and speak varied and almost unlntelii-
gible dialects, are odd, grotesque, IN
couth; yet possess an innate good
breeding, while wholly ignorant OF all
customary observances to rank. Some,
who have seen more OF the world, affect
superior, even patronizing, air to
their comrades. Some are facetlous,
some not easily to be subdued. Not a
few are truly heroic by nature, Others
arc nerved TO support agony under snch
unique and fattering conditions. The
sensitive are often too much over
come for words, and when blessed
with sight find relief by re-
peatedly kissing the Dukes bene-
iicent hand. Hundreds have never be-
fore been brought in contact with any
high-born lady; and the Princess's gen
tie frankness and rapidity--for she has
facility of doing all she attempts
quickly and well-enthrall their hearts
and minds. 1t is homogeneous mass
of human sufferers, presenting day by
day, week by week, the same tragic
end even comic forms and Characters
ties, which are relieved, however, OF
all dull uniformity to the Duke and
Duchess by their own enthusiasm, sym
patty with human nature, and delicate
sense Of bumor.
When the benign presence OF the
Duke and Duchess no longer Lighters
the tedium the hours drag YEARLY on
in the gloomy infrmary. There are
little contretemps; Ignorant and undis'
ciplined patients, scoffing at the abso'
lutte need OF the enforced passivity, talk
and crack jokes; even the willing ODE,
dent, made irritable by the limited
space and constrained position, fidget
and move or sneeze vigorously and
clumsily, to the Encouragement OF
bandages. But good manners are
speedily restored by the reminder,
What would the Duchess say ?"
While these poor mOrtals are endu-
ring to the best of their ability this
chrysalis stage of darkness and torpor,
other sufferers are cropping their way,
being led, carried, or, if well-to.do,
conveyed in bath-chsirs to the Villa
Aders. Old and young, from far and
near, with every possible arrangement
of eyesight-blind from birth, or blind
from small pox, fever, inflammation,
cataract, external injury, defect in the
optic nerve, imperfect organization,
gradual decsy-on they troop to be re-
lieved by the Duke, at first each after
noon, later thrice in the week, the
highest number reached in any after
noon being ninety-one, the total 1000.
The footmen welcome each new
conner with personal interest and de-
ference that tranquillize the poor bind,
whose susceptibilities are great, and al
ter arranging them in the spacious en-
trance hall usher them by turn into the
presence Of the Duke and Duchess
Their Royal Highnesses, in the mos'
easy and natural way, attend to each
case, make out together what illiteratc
peasants, wholly ignorant OF all laws OF
nature and health, mean in their strange
patois-he tenderly lifting shaggy, un
iempt hair of weather-beaten fore
beads to obtain a clearer view of the
defective eyosight; she, ever on the
alert helping the poor people to explain
themselves, and, when need be, writing
out diagnosis OF prescription for The
Duke to sign.
The month Of March. 1886, brought
them once more back to Meran, where
another season was spent in a similal
round of arduous and munificent la
bors. During the ten weeks thel
passed i'll the Villa Bavaria some ,20(
persons resorted to the Duke and were
received by him 1850 times, while 20|
were operated upon, and these chiefly
in the hospital,
And now, in May, 1887, men, women
and children, with bandaged eyes or IL
spectacles, again form prominent fea
ture of the locality for the royal ocu
list and wife-this year assisted by
grandson of the poet, Rucket-hav'
since the middle of March been indie
fatllably pursuing their work of merc1
in AersD.